Leonard YoungBear, Ma-ka-ti-we-ke-ti-wa, 85, of the Meskwaki Settlement, rural Tama passed away Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Traditional Graveside Services will be held Friday, December 5, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Morgan Cemetery on the Meskwaki Settlement in rural Tama with Homer Bear Jr. as speaker. A Traditional Wake will be held Thursday evening, December 4, 2014 at the Bear Clan Ceremonial Building on the Meskwaki Settlement.

Leonard was born on September 3, 1929 in Tama, Iowa, the son of John and Amy (Waseskuk) YoungBear. He attended the Sac and Fox Day School. Leonard was married to Chloe OldBear on July 28, 1958. Leonard had worked as a machinist at Cooper Manufacturing in Marshalltown. He had also worked as a carpenter at the Meskwaki Senior Center and had been engaged in farming. Leonard enjoyed drawing and attending pow-wows. In his younger years, he enjoyed dancing, singing, trapping, making maple syrup in the springtime, and making beaded moccasins for family members and relatives. Leonard also liked planting his yearly garden, watching movies, and spending time with his family members especially his grandchildren. Leonard's laughter and smile will be missed by everybody.
Survivors include his wife Chloe of Tama; four children, Ray (Stella) YoungBear of Tama, Russell (JoAnn) YoungBear of Tama, Marcine (Larry Lasley Sr.) YoungBear of Tama, and Becky YoungBear-Alvarado of Tama; fourteen grandchildren, Ivan Alvarado, Dexter Whitebreast, Renelle and Trent YoungBear, Lyrik, Lorenzo, and Larry Lasley Jr., Miko, Rosie, Micah, Mina, and Mark YoungBear, Jesse Lasley, and Elgin YoungBear; adopted son Dale Blackcloud of Tama; and adopted grandson, John YoungBear of Tama. Leonard is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Todd D. YoungBear; grandson, Tremayne YoungBear; brothers, Kenneth, Curtis, and Carl YoungBear; and sisters, Bessie Slick, Irene Bernadino, and Edna Keahna.